By: Clardy (Senate Sponsor - Nichols) H.B. No. 1521
(In the Senate - Received from the House April 15, 2013;
April 18, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on
Agriculture, Rural Affairs, and Homeland Security; May 2, 2013,
reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0;
May 2, 2013, sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the slaughter of certain domestic or exotic fowl
infected with or exposed to disease and compensation of owners of
fowl infected with or exposed to disease.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 161.0415, Agriculture
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 161.0415. DISPOSAL OF DISEASED OR EXPOSED LIVESTOCK OR
FOWL.
SECTION 2. Sections 161.0415(a) and (b), Agriculture Code,
are amended to read as follows:
(a) The commission by order may require the slaughter of
livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl, under the direction of
the commission, or the sale of livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic
fowl for immediate slaughter at a public slaughtering establishment
maintaining federal or state inspection if the livestock, domestic
fowl, or exotic fowl is exposed to or infected with a disease other
than bluetongue or vesicular stomatitis that:
(1) is recognized by the United States Department of
Agriculture as a foreign animal disease;
(2) is the subject of a cooperative eradication
program with the United States Department of Agriculture;
(3) is named on "List A" of the Office International
Des Epizooties; or
(4) is the subject of a state of emergency, as declared
by the governor.
(b) The commission by order may require the slaughter and
disposal of livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl exposed to or
infected with a disease not listed in Subsection (a) if the
commission determines that action to be necessary for the
protection of animal health in this state. The commission shall
immediately deliver a copy of an order issued under this subsection
to the appropriate legislative oversight committees.
SECTION 3. The heading to Section 161.058, Agriculture
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 161.058. COMPENSATION OF LIVESTOCK OR FOWL OWNER.
SECTION 4. Sections 161.058(a) and (c), Agriculture Code,
are amended to read as follows:
(a) The commission may pay an indemnity to the owner of
livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl exposed to or infected
with a disease if the commission considers it necessary to
eradicate the disease and to dispose of the exposed or diseased
livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl. The commission shall
provide the owner with information regarding available state or
federal indemnity funds.
(c) The commission may spend funds appropriated for the
purpose of this section only for direct payment to owners of exposed
or infected livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
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